U-18s: Quakes looking to bounce back in showdown with Santa Cruz
The San Jose Earthquakes’ under-18s look to kick start their season this Saturday when they face Santa Cruz Breakers at San Jose State University. Posting a 1-2-0 record in their first three matches, the 18s are building from positives so far in their young campaign. As a new group, they are working out the kinks early on in a grueling 26-game season.
“We’re still learning more about ourselves with each day. It’s a very different team than last year,” Paul Holocher, head coach of the U-16 and U-18s, said. “There's a lot of talent on the field. Now it’s just a matter of bringing that talent together and working well as a team.”
That talent on the field is not in short supply, which can lead to tough coaching decisions.
“We literally have 23 guys that can start,” he added. “That’s not always easy. You have to make decisions, rotate players and reward the players that take their opportunity well.”
In just his third month as U-16/18 Head Coach, Holocher has wasted no time in deciding how to prepare his team. His training regimen “revolves around the ball. It revolves around controlling the game with possession.”
With high school-aged players, physical fitness seems to be secondary for Holocher, as adrenaline and youthful energy take care of that.
“There’s not a lot of running without the ball. I think that players want to play,” he said. “They want to pass the ball and share the ball, and they want to attack. That’s the type of soccer we want to develop.”
Goals from David Chavez and George Korpotinos served as bright spots from the 18’s 4-2 loss in their last match vs. FC Golden State on September 20, but Holocher is looking ahead to Saturday’s bout with Santa Cruz Breakers, mindful of improvements that need to be made.
“[Santa Cruz Beakers] are a really dangerous team,” he said. “They have the ability to go forward quickly with the ball. I think they take a pretty direct route to the goal. We have to be very aware not to get exposed behind. We have to do a good job of defending in the wide zones, but we also need to do a good job of attacking, that’s the best defense.”
U-16s: Holocher remains focused on controlling play ahead of Saturday's match
The Earthquakes’ U-16 team also finds themselves in a 1-2-0 position to start the 2015-16 campaign. Last match resulted in a 3-1 defeat to FC Golden State, and the team looks to rebound heading into Saturday against Santa Cruz’s 16s.
“The group is a really good, intelligent, talented group,” said Holocher “We’re already starting to see some really good understanding between the players and this style of play. Each of the games we’ve played, we’ve controlled large portions of the match with our passing and positional play. I think that it’s a pretty well-balanced team as far as attacking and defending.”
Midfielder Andrew Paoli has shown early signs of promise for the team. His confidence with the ball and ability to dictate play from the midfield has impressed Holocher so far.
“He’s shown great maturity and strength in how he plays,” said Holocher. “He plays in the center of midfield. His distribution and passing is very good. He’s been a positive impact every single game in how he helps us control them.”
“Jean-Julien Foe Nuphaus has also been outstanding in how he controls the game for us,” he added. “His composure in the back and how we build up - He’s been a revelation as far as a center back in the 16s.”
As for adjustments going into the weekend, Holocher isn’t quick to jump to too many conclusions about how the team will fare in the long run.
“We have to keep training upon how we press the field collectively,” he said. “This is stuff that takes time. Early in the season you’re not going to be at your best as far as coordination of your pressing.”
U-14s: Moreira's side gets a bye week following rout of Placer United SC
Coming off of a 7-0 thumping of Placer United SC, the 14s enter a bye weekend holding a dominant 3-0-1 record. With two goals from Mario Anaya Jr. and Tomas Barerra, respectively, and one a piece from Fabian Francisco-Vega, Ricardo Ibarra and Mario Rocha, there has been no shortage of offensive power from the young guns.
“The idea is simple,” said U-14 Head Coach Andre Luiz Moreira. “Play out from the back, two touches if possible, keep the team organized as much as we can. It doesn’t matter how the other team is playing.”
“We want to make every possession meaningful,” added Academy Assistant Coach Jeff Jenkins. “Don’t just lose the ball for no reason. [Moreira] wants to keep the ball and play a pretty style of soccer.”
A couple of players have stood out for Moreira’s side, including Rocha, Anaya Jr., Barerra, Ibarra, Azah, and Larson, who have been training up with the 16s in recent weeks.
“They wont have a huge impact on the 16s right now, but they’re identified as some of the top ‘01s,” said Jenkins. “Paul and Luis are able to have them at training and show them their style, so when they come back down they can lead the team and pass down what they’ve learned.”
The 14's next match is at Alameda College on October 10 against EBU Bay Oaks at 12:30 PM.
